posted on Friday, February 22, 2008 3:23 AM by Jim

Spring training photo/video requests

Since it's a slow news day -- unless you think Tomo Ohka deserves his own spotlight -- and I'm worn out from a heckuva show, I figure it's a good time to ask what you'd like to see when I hit spring training for five days next week.

Feel free to be specific as you like, and don't worry about being too demanding.  I'm not going to be able to get everything for everybody, because I'm just one guy and I don't get paid for this, but I don't want any good ideas to go unsaid.

I have a few questions that will help me out in terms of prioritizing, but you can add anything else you think of:

No. 1:  Any specific players you'd like to see, whether in the major- or minor-league camp?

The more obscure, the better in my book.  Last year on my Charlotte trip, somebody asked for pictures and footage of journeyman reliever Jake Robbins.  It's not like there's an abundance of Jake Robbins media out there, so I was happy to oblige.

No. 2:  Do you prefer shorter, numerous individual clips, or longer, more encompassing packages?

Here's an example of the latter, piecing together footage from last year's B game:



No. 3:  How important are the pitcher delivery pages?  And are my scouting reports of any value?  (For examples, see Gavin Floyd, Danny Richar, and Lance Broadway)

Go nuts.

Comments

# re: Spring training photo/video requests

Friday, February 22, 2008 7:14 AM by Doctor Lingerie
Definitely Egbert, and specifically anything stuff-related since I've never had a chance to see him pitch. And I like the scouting reports and delivery pages -- especially for the guys with bizarre mechanics like Gio last year.

# re: Spring training photo/video requests

Friday, February 22, 2008 8:45 AM by JasonC23
How does one earn a doctorate in lingerie? I suddenly feel the urge to go back to school...

Anyway, I'd like to see outfield defense, if at all possible--Swish-a-licious in CF, especially. (This is to get an early read on whether we're looking at Mackowiak-lite out there.)

Egbert and Russell, certainly--deliveries, stuff, whatever.

On the obscure side, any White Sox position-player prospect that looks even halfway decent...good luck.

# re: Spring training photo/video requests

Friday, February 22, 2008 10:42 AM by striker
I'd like to see some shots from directly behind the catcher. Maybe get some new John Danks cutter action.

# re: Spring training photo/video requests

Friday, February 22, 2008 11:52 AM by Florida Jim
I would like to see some sequences of Charley Haegher pitching. I would also like some shots of Crede swinging and fielding. Good stuff!

# re: Spring training photo/video requests

Friday, February 22, 2008 3:59 PM by morsetoad
I love all the pitcher stuff, so if you could do a lot of video for them, that'd be great. Also, when you do the pictures, could you get more frames per windup?

Pitchers:

-Egbert: Mechanics (supposedly he's got a hitch of some kind?), Scouting Report (how's the sinker and change look? does he have a legit third pitch?)

-Contreras: Arm angle is big for him, so just paying a lot of attention to whether or not he's throwing at least 3/4.

-Floyd: Is he still ditching the over-head part of his windup? How does the slider look? Any and all video would be much obliged, since I'd like to compare it to mlb.tv clips. If you can get the normal from center field shots that they use for games, that would be muy excellente.

-Danks: The cutter...but also, I have no grasp on his mechanics because he's a lefty, so multiple angles/video etc. would be very appreciated.

I've got a few pet projects that I'm wondering about, but it's only the 40 man plus the NRI's that are at spring training right?

# re: Spring training photo/video requests

Friday, February 22, 2008 4:01 PM by morsetoad
Oh about Danks and the cutter: could we get some video to compare the fastball and the cutter from behind the catcher? We could do our own rough sketch for a pitch f/x type thing?

# re: Spring training photo/video requests

Friday, February 22, 2008 7:03 PM by Conor
I'd like to see if Alexi Ramirez is worth the press he's getting. What is his swing like?

# re: Spring training photo/video requests

Friday, February 22, 2008 7:09 PM by dudeman
Thanks, Jim!
I would love to see anything that unshrouds the mysterious Alexie Ramirez. Running, throwing, swinging, catching... whatever. Just curious to see him, because I haven't seen anything but a couple WBC clips and one Cuban league at bat.
And I also would love to see some of Swish-a-licous in center. Unlike most, I have faith he will be adequate, but it is worth looking at.
And get some footage of Crede doing stuff.

# re: Spring training photo/video requests

Friday, February 22, 2008 8:28 PM by Orestes
Very up close and personal video there, ...this will be a treat.

I'd too would like to see the newbies in action - Ramirez, OC,and Swisher.

Also Owens, MacDougal and Contreras - 3 guys I hope find some confidence and game this Spring...

# re: Spring training photo/video requests

Saturday, February 23, 2008 2:32 AM by Jim Margalus
Only thing I know I can shoot down now -- video of pitchers from CF will be impossible at Hi Corbett because there's no outfield seating, and may not be possible from TEP because of the bigass batter's eye.

Otherwise, keep 'em coming.

# re: Spring training photo/video requests

Wednesday, February 27, 2008 10:29 AM by ChicagoPete
Take a look at Fields taking IF and see what his footwork looks like. Last year he played like his shoelaces were tied together.

I'm also curious about OCab at SS. From the few times I've seen the CWS play the Angels, I have absolutely no memory of this guy playing at all. His PECOTA card says in 2005 comments that his defense has been in decline since he hurt his back. Does he look exceptional out there, or average?